Heating conduit fitting having guiding and camming means



y 1960 H. F. s'r. MARIE 2,935,340

HEATING CONDUIT FITTING HAVING GUIDING AND CAMMING .NGANs Filed March 27, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 .MFE'AZQ? 19.5 .52 MARIE May 3, 1960 H F ST MARIE 2,935,340

HEATING GONDI'JIT'FITIING HAVING GUIDING AND CAMMING MEANS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 27, 1956 INVENTOR. {/M/REFJZMR/f B United States Patent 6 EATING CONDUIT FITTING HAVING GUIDING AND CAMMING MEANS Hilaire F. St. Marie, Detroit Lakes, Minn, assignor to Snappy, Inc., Detroit Lakes, Minn., a corporation of Minnesota Application March 27, 1956, Serial No. 574,323

3 Claims. (Cl. 28518) air flow communication between the plenum chamber and the air conduits by utilizing a tubular member with a collapsible split collar secured in one end thereof to facilitate connection, and occasionally disconnection, of the tubular member with the opening-defining portions of one wall of the chamber. The free end portions of the collar, in such instances, are preferably connected by a spring metal strap hinged at its ends to the respective end portions of the collar. This strap is cut of such a length so that when it extends along the inner surfaces of the free end portions, this strap holds the collar in extended position so that a radially outwardly extending flange on the collar will positively engage the opening-defining portions of the plenum chamber wall and connect the tubular member to the plenum chamher in tight air-flow-conducting relation. When the strap is bowed inwardly, the end portions are drawn radially inwardly and the collar is moved to collapsed position, thereby enabling the flanged portion of the collar to be inserted or withdrawn through the opening of the plenum chamber. Such a tubular member is sometimes quite long, and in attaching such a tubular member to the plenum chamber, the one performing the installation must work with his arms extended. It is difiicult to hold the strap in bowed position and at the same time properly insert the tubular member so that the flange of the collar is positioned properly relative to the openingdefining portions of the plenum chamber. My invention is intended to obviate these difficulties.

It is a general object of my invention to provide a novel and improved device for securing a tubular member within an opening of a panel member such as a wall of a plenum chamber with a minimum of cost, time, efiort and inconvenience.

A more specific object is to provide a novel device for accomplishing such a connection, the device being very simple and inexpensive in construction and operation.

Another object is to provide a device for securing a tubular member within an opening of a panel member and having novel means for facilitating the connection and disconnection of the same.

Another object is to provide a collapsible split-collartype device for securing a tubular member within an opening of a panel member having novel mechanism for holding the split collar in collapsed position while the tubular member is adjusted to the proper position and aligned properly for attachment of the same to the opening-defining portions of the panel member.

Another object is to provide a collapsible split-collartype device for securing a tubular member within an ppening of a panel member wherein very simple, inexpensive but highly effective means is provided for guiding the end portions of the collar while the collar is moved from extended to collapsed position and vice versa, and for holding the collar in collapsed position until such time as its release is desired, whereupon it may be quickly and easily released.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will more fully appear from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and in which:

Fig. 1 is an end elevational view of one embodiment of my invention with the split collar held in collapsed position; I

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary end elevational view of the same with the split collar held in extended position;

Fig. 3 is a full-scale perspective view of the means for holding the split collar in collapsed position;

Fig. 4 is a full-scale fragmentary sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a full-scale sectional view taken generally along line 5-5 of Fig. 3, but with the collar in extended position;

Fig. 6 is a front end elevational view of a second embodiment of my invention in collapsed position;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary end elevational view of the same in extended position;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 88 of Fig. 7; and

Fig. 9 is a side elevational view on a reduced scale of the embodiment of Fig. 6.

One embodiment of my invention may include, as shown in Figs. 1-5, a tubular member indicated generally as T adapted to be connected as hereinafter described to a panel member indicated generally as P which is generally one wall of a plenum chamber. This panel member P has an opening 6 formed therein to receive the tubular member T, and the opening-defining portions of the panel member serve to retain the tubular member when connected thereto. As best shown in Fig. 4, the tubular member T is provided with a circular band 7 which, if desired, may be made integral with the tubular member T and for all practical purposesis a part of the tubular member. The opposite end of the tubular member T (not shown) is adapted to be connected to an air flow line in a manner well-known in the art.

Secured within the open end of the tubular member T, which is secured to the circular band 7 by staples 8, is a split collar member C which extends outwardly beyond the end of the tubular member. The split collar C has free end portions 9 and 10 which are movable radially inwardly relative to each other and which extend in overlapping relation, as clearly shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 5. The collar C has an inner surface 11 and an outer surface 12, and formed in the inner surface 11 is a groove 13. It will be readily appreciated that the groove 13 of the end portion 10 rides in the groove of the end portion 9 while moving in overlapping relation relative to each other. The collar C is provided with a radially outwardly extending circumferential flange 14 and this flange extends outwardly beyond the collar 7, as best shown in Fig. 4.

Secured to one end portion 9 by a hinge 15 is a spring metal band 16. The other end portion 10 is secured by a hinge 17 to the other end of the spring metal band 16. These hinges 15 and 17 are riveted to the end portions 9 and 10 as best shown in Fig. 5. The band 16 is of such length so that when it is extended to lie contiguously with the inner surface of the end portions 9 and 10, the collar C will be forced into extended position, which causes the circumferential flanged portion 14 to engage the opening-defining portions of the panel member P. In otherwords, when the strap 16 is forced outwardly to lie along the end portions of the collar, the collar is moved into panel-engaging position. When the strap 16 is drawn inwardly, as shown in Fig. 1, .the end portions 9 and it) are drawn radially in-. wardly toward each other and move relative to each other in overlapping relation to the collapsed position shown in Fig. 1.

" Secured to the end portion 9 of the collar C within the groove 13,. is an elongated spring metal wire 18. This wire lies in the grooved? and is held therein by the hinge 17, as best shown in Figs. 1 and S. It will be readily appreciated by reference to Fig. 3 that the wire 18 extends along the groove of its supporting end portion 9 and into the groove 13 of the other end portion 10, and in. this manner provides a positive guide to insure'that when the strap 16 is drawn inwardly, the end portions 9 and'10 will ride relative to each other in overlapping and aligned relation.

A second and preferred form of my invention is shown in Figs. 6-8 and may include, as shown, a tubular member indicated generally as M adapted to be connected as hereinafter described to a panel member such as P, as hereinbefore described. The tubular member M is adapted to be received in the opening 6 of the panel member P and the opening-defining portions of the panel member serve to retain the tubular member when connected thereto in the same manner as with respect to the embodiment shown in Figs. l5. As best shown in Fig.

8 the tubular member M is provided with a circular band 20 which, if desired, may be made integrally with the tubular member M and for all practical purposes is a part of the tubular member. The opposite end of the tubular member M (not shown) is adapted'to be connected to an air flow line in the manner well known in the art. Secured within the open end of the tubular member vM,:which is secured Within the circular band 2% by staples 21, is a split collar member R which extends outwardly beyond the end of the tubular member. The split collar R has free end portions 22 and 23 which are movable radially inwardly relative to each other and which extend in overlapping relation, as clearly shown in Figs. 6-8. The collar member R has an inner surface 24 and an outer surface 25 and formed in the inner surface 24 is a groove 26. It will be readily appreciated that the groove 26 of the end portion 22 rides in the groove of the end .portion'23 while moving in overlapping relation relative to each other. The collar R is provided with a radially outwardly extending circumferential flange 27 and this flange extends outwardly beyond the circular band 20, as best shown in Fig. 8. It will be noted that, in forming the groove 26, a rib 28 is also formed on each of the end portions.

Secured to the one end portion 22 by a hinge 29 is a spring metal band 30. The other end portion 23 is s ecured by a hinge 31 to the other end of the spring metal band 30. These hinges 29 and 31 are riveted to the end portions 22 and 23, as best shown in Fig. 6. The band 30 is of such length so that, when it is extended to lie contiguously with the inner surface of the end portions 22 and 23, the collar R will be forced into extended position which causes the circumferentially flanged portion 27 to engage the opening-defining portions of the panel memportion and it extends along the inner surface of the end portion 23 and bears against its rib. It will be readily appreciated by reference to Figs. 6 and 8 that the cammiug plate member 32, in bearing against the rib 28, provides a positive guide to compel the two end portions 22 and 23 to remain aligned by their ribbed portions fitting into each other so as to insure that, when the strap 30 is drawn inwardly, the end portions 22 andq23i ride relative to each other in overlapping and aligned relation. 7 7

The tubular member M, as shown in Fig. 9, is preferably deformed at two points '33 and 34 by striking the wallsof the tubular memberwith a pointed tool such as a sharp'pointed punch. These two'deformations are positioned a distance apart equal to one half the diameter of the collar 20 to facilitate the marking of the plenum chamber wall with a scribing tool to outline the opening which is to be cut in the wall preparatoryto having the tubular member M secured thereto. This greatly facilitates the installation of the fitting for it effects a substantial saving in time.

In use, the split collar C is drawn. to collapsed position by grasping the metal band or strap 16 and drawing the same inwardly to the position shown in. Fig. 1. When this is done the end portions 9 and 10 move radially inwardly in overlapping relation and the wire 18 guides them relative to each other as hereinbefore described. When the extreme end of the free end portion 10 approaches a position in close proximity to the axis of pivot of the hinge member 17, it is cammed between the end portion 9 and the wire 18 and held securely in that position as a result of the camming action. The tubular member T is then ready for application to the panel P of the plenum chamber.

Once the collar C has been moved to collapsed position and the end portionlll has been cammed between the wire 18 and the end portion 9, it is a simple matter to position the tubular member properly relative to the opening-defining portions of the panel P. Because the end portion 10 is securely held, the collar C is maintainedin collapsed position and the user need not hold the collar in such position with one arm extending along the length of the tubular member- Instead he may utilize both hands and stand beside the tubular member and the panel P and apply the tubular member in proper position and align it properly so that when the end. portions are released and the collar is permitted to snap to that the flange 14 will properly engage the opening-definber P. In other words when the strap 3% is forced out- 'wardly to lie along the end portions of the collar, the collar is moved into a panel-engaging position. When the strap 30 is drawn inwardly, as shown in Fig. 6, the end portions 22 and 23 are drawn inwardly radially toward each other and move relative to each other in overlapping relation to the collapsed position shown in Fig. 6. Se-

ing portions and the tubular member T will be properly positioned. One side of the flange 14 is first inserted into. the opening so that the panel P is engaged within the groove defined by that flange 14, as best shown in Fig. 4, and then the remainder of the flange 14 is inserted in the opening, whereupon the user presses inwardly slightly on the band 16 to release the camming action of the wire 18 and the flange springs into loosefitting panel-engaging position. The tubular member is thus properly positioned relativeto the panel member P and all that remains is to extend the collar further to full extended position so that it will engage the opening-defining' portions in tight-fitting relation. plished by pressing outwardly on the strap 16 until it lies in substantially contiguous relation to the end portions of the collar C, as best shown in Fig. 5.

When it is desired to extract or remove the tubular member T from the panel P, it is a simple matter to accomplish this operation with my device, for the user merely draws inwardly on the strap 16 to the position shown in Fig. 1 so that the'collar will remain in collapsed position. It is a relatively easy matter then to extricate the flanged portion 14 from the opening of the panel member P, whereas Without the camming mechanism, it is oftentimes extremely diflicult to hold the strap 16 in contracted position and remove the'tubu This is accomlar member T because the operator does not have a good point of vantage for vision of the panel-engaging portions of the collar.

Thus it can be seen from the above that I have provided a simple and inexpensive device for facilitating the connection and disconnection of such a tubular member to a panel member such as one wall of a plenum chamber. The device is very simple and inexpensive to manufacture and utilizes a amount of material for its construction and therefore the total cost of the device is relatively low. Even more important, however, is the fact that this device readily facilitates the application of such a tubular member and the connection of the same in proper position to the opening-defining portions of such a panel member P and thus a great deal of time, labor, effort and inconvenience as well as aggravation is obviated.

The preferred form, as shown in Figs. 6-8 has an added advantage in that the camming plate 32 will not wedge the free end portion 23 against the free end portion 22 to such an extent as to make it difficult to release the metal plate 30 and move it to extended position, as shown in Fig. 7. Although the wire 18 shown in Figs. 1-5 will function satisfactorily, we have found that the metal plate 32 has added advantages in that it tends to maintain the end portions 22 and 23 in better aligned relation for it has a broader bearing surface and it will readily release the end portions from collapsed position when a slight pressure is applied to the metal strap 30 to move the end portions to a position where the plate member 32 will hold the end portions 22 and 23 in fixed relation to each other. Because of this the insertion and, if desired, removal of the tubular member carrying the collapsible collar is greatly facilitated for it is a difiicult matter for the user to exert a great deal of pressure or pull upon the metal strap 30 while working at arms and finger-tip length.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and pro portions of the various parts without departing from the scope of my invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An air duct connection for use in connecting an air-flow line to a plenum chamber having an air-flow opening formed therein, said connection comprising a tubular member adapted at one of its ends to be connected to such an air-flow line in air-conducting relation, a collapsible split collar secured to the other end of said tubular member and having portions thereof extending outwardly therebeyond, said outwardly extending portions of said split collar having a radially outwardly extending circumferential flange adapted to engage the opening-defining portions of such a plenum chamber to connect said tubular member in air-conducting relation to said plenum chamber when said collar is extended, said collar having end portions movable relative to each other in overlapping relation to permit said collar to be brought into collapsed position, said end portions having an inwardly facing groove formed therein and the groove of one of said end portions riding within the groove of the other of said end portions, mechanism connected with said movable end portions for maintaining said collar in extended plenum-chamber-engaging position when desired, and an elongated metal wire member mounted on one of said end portions and extending Within the groove thereof toward and within the groove of the other of said end portions to effectively guide said end portions when moved relative to each other, said wire member engaging the end portion of said collar to which it is not positively secured and camming the same against the end portion supporting said wire member when said collar is moved to collapsed position whereby the connection and disconnection of said tubular member to the opening-defining portions of such a plenum chamber may be facilitated.

2. A duct connection for use in connecting an airflow line to a plenum chamber having an air-flow opening formed therein, said connection comprising a tubular member adapted at one of its ends to be connected to such an air-flow line in air-conducting relation, a collapsible split collar permanently secured to the other end of said tubular member having portions thereof extending outwardly therebeyond, said outwardly extending portions of said split collar having a radially outwardly extending circumferential flange extending throughout substantially the length of said collar adapted to engage the opening-defining portions of such a plenum chamber to connect said tubular member in air-conducting relation to said plenum chamber when said collar is extended, said collar having rst and second end portions movable relative to each other and normally engaging one another, the end portions overlapping one another when in operative position and being capable of movement inwardly in collapsed position, each of said first and second end portions having inner and outer surfaces, said first and second end portions having complementary channel configurations and fitting within one another, spreading and locking mechanism for maintaining the collar in extended plenum-chamber engaging position and being pivotally connected to said first and second end portions inwardly of the outer ends thereof to permit relative sliding movement of the end portions, said first end portion having the outer end thereof disposed radially outwardly of the outer end of said second end portion when in operative position, and an elongated resilient camming member secured to the inner surface of said first end portion and extending therealong and into engagement with the inner surface of said second end portion when the collar is in plenum-chamber-engaging position, said camming member being connected to said first end portion at a position spaced a substantial distance inwardly of the outer end thereof providing a space between the inner surface of said first end portion and the outer surface of said camming member for receiving said second end portion, said space having a dimension sufficient for receiving said second end portion when the collar is in collapsed position, the space dimension being such that when the collar is in collapsed position the outer end of said second end portion is wedged between said camming member and said first end portion to hold the first and second end portions in relative collapsed position.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said camming member is secured to the inner surface of said first end portion adjacent the point of pivotal connection of the spreading and locking mechanism to said first end portion, the outer end of said camming member extending to a point in substantial radial alignment with the outer end of said first end portion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 45,619 Larey Dec. 27, 1864 73,887 Green Jan. 28, 1868 115,906 Stine June 13, 1871 420,076 Kohlmyer Jan. 28, 1890 610,658 Maynard Sept. 13, 1898 672,548 Durall Apr. 23, 1901 864,034 Rudderow Aug. 20, 1907 997,072 Mares July 4, 1911 1,318,721 Boden Oct. 14, 1919 1,621,460 Cruz Mar. 15, 1927 1,694,354 Rollason Dec. 4, 1928 1,931,229 Koree Oct. 17, 1933 2,737,402 Frumerie Mar. 6, 1956 2,779,279 Maiwurm Jan. 29, 1957 2,880,017 Anderson et a1. Mar. 31, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 14,164 Great Britain June 19, 1907 

